University Press Releases

Santa Clara University School of Law to Offer New Privacy-Law Certificate

Wednesday, May. 14, 2014

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 14, 2014—In response to the explosive growth of career opportunities for professionals versed in privacy-law issues, Santa Clara University School of Law is launching a new certificate in privacy law for its students. The certificate is among the first of its kind in the nation.

“Santa Clara University and the law school have been addressing cutting-edge privacy issues for a long time,” said Eric Goldman, director of the law schoool's High Tech Law Institute, and the initial certificate supervisor. “The new certificate will keep Santa Clara Law at the forefront of privacy-law education.”

The certificate, which will be offered starting in the 2014-2015 academic year, requires that students complete extensive coursework; professional fieldwork on privacy issues; a published paper on privacy topics; and certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The complete certificate rules are available here.

“A student who earns the certificate will demonstrate that they have many of the skills desired by employers seeking to hire privacy-law professionals,” said Goldman.

Through its Privacy Pathways program, the IAPP partners with law schools to promote and encourage privacy education. As part of this program, Santa Clara Law and IAPP are working together closely, including letting students take the IAPP’s certification exams at a reduced cost.

“We’re excited about Santa Clara Law’s efforts,” said Omer Tene, vice president of research and education for the IAPP. “At a time when data is becoming the most valuable currency in the information economy, the need for well-qualified professionals who understand global information management practices and the need to safeguard data is growing exponentially. Our members are eager to welcome these students to the privacy community.”

The privacy-law certificate will be supported by several Santa Clara Law professors with privacy-law expertise, including Dorothy Glancy, a national leader on transportation privacy issues; Eric Goldman, an expert on Internet and advertising privacy issues; and Tyler Ochoa, co-author of the leading casebook on publicity rights. This year, law school students also founded a new Privacy Law Student Organization.

The law school also works closely with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, including its Internet Ethics Program, directed by Irina Raicu. For years, the law school and Markkula Center have co-sponsored a lecture series, IT, Ethics and Law, that has brought numerous privacy experts to give talks on campus.

“I came to Santa Clara Law because of its leadership on privacy law,” said second-year law student Maru Rabinovitch.“I expect the new certificate will be a great asset for me in my job search.”

“Demand by companies for privacy advice is at an all-time high and isn’t showing any signs of slowing,” said Scott Shipman, associate general counsel and global privacy leader at eBay. “However, there aren’t enough trained attorneys in this field. SCU’s focus on this emerging field is of paramount importance to the global companies of Silicon Valley and demonstrates that SCU continues to have its finger on the pulse of the Valley.”

"We listened to employers in the Silicon Valley and elsewhere and responded, building on our strength in Internet and technology issues," added Santa Clara Law’s Dean Lisa Kloppenberg. "Employers tell us of the great need for privacy experts with legal training as they deal with trust and safety issues around data management in this emerging field."

About Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law, founded in 1911 on the site of California’s oldest operating higher-education institution, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and social justice. One of the nation’s most diverse law schools, Santa Clara Law offers its 860 students an academically rigorous program, including graduate degrees in international law and intellectual property law; combined J.D./MBA degree; and certificates in intellectual property law, international law, and public interest and social justice law. Santa Clara Law is located in the world-class business center of Silicon Valley, and is distinguished nationally for our highly-ranked program in intellectual property. For more information, see law.scu.edu.

About the IAPP
The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is the largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community and resource, helping practitioners develop and advance their careers and organizations manage and protect their data. Founded in 2000, the IAPP is a not-for-profit association that helps define, support and improve the privacy profession globally. More information about the IAPP is available at www.privacyassociation.org.